Day 29 ~ “Sweet November” Mandala in Progress. The final Mandala will be available as a Monthly Printable Mandala for my $3 and Up Patrons to print for personal use.
Day 30 ~ This Brick Wall mural in progress is a new addition to the studio. I will be posting updates and progress on this new project in my activity feed at Patreon.
“I slap this perfectly sculpted mask onto my face every single day. It is one that has a perfectly carved smile and warm brown eyes. One that is well kept and put together. One that gives the impression that I have skillfully figured out my life. One that tells the world – this woman is happy. This woman is whole. Her life is complete and her heart content. She is courageous, resilient, and strong. My mask speaks out, “I’m Okay!” All while muffling the screams from inside, “I AM BROKEN! I AM BROKEN! I. AM. BROKEN!”…In the solace of my home – I remove it. Tears that have been contained for days and weeks are released and pour out in uncontainable amounts. The scars and trauma are again visible, if only to myself. My truth is revealed. Only I know the depths of that truth. For it has settled in a dark abyss and the world is too afraid to climb down with me. My mask hides how truly deep my pain runs. It hides it to protect me from the judgment that I should be better. This mask is my most useful tool – yet I despise it most.”
Oh how “The Mask ” posted at Still Standing Magazine resonated with me when I read it! Their Mission: “In the face of loss and infertility, our mission is to show the world that we are still standing. Holding fast to resilience and hope. Our mission is to help you embrace life for everything that it is after experiencing the loss of a child or infertility.”
Arachnoiditis Survivors and others living with Chronic Pain and Illness work to maintain a similar Mask. No matter the source of our Pain and Grief; Resilience and Hope Inspire Survival and LIFE.
The Mask provides a temporary illusion of inclusion which, for a brief time, keeps the loneliness of reality at bay. But that isn’t its only purpose.
“In many primitive societies, to wear a mask was to invoke a supernatural being. In Africa, masks were used to ward off enemies, to summon ancestors, and in rituals and ceremonies that marked alliances between tribes. Masks, particularly those depicting animals, were also used as a means of denying personal identity, thereby bringing the wearer closer to the paradisial state.” ~Fontana
That Supernatural being is often the ONLY thing that gets us through the day. When It leaves me feeling trapped in the loneliness It creates; Making Art, even when I use symbolism which is not understood by all, helps me un-glue the facade cemented to my soul. The Mask is a duplicitous mate.
No Matter the Cause, Maintaining the mask ~from the body language, to The “Smile” to the Hair ~that we hold up for others can be extremely exhausting…but, I have often asked myself, “What WOULD I do instead?” The alternative is even LESS appealing. MaintainingThe Mask sometimes becomes a temporary link that anchors us to the edge of Survival until we are strong enough to move on without it. Over time, though I still have days where I resent the effort; I have become thankful for my companion, The Mask .
The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are Here and have been brought to the public via the support of my patrons.
Busy Bucket with Activities for Toddlers Includes Hand-Painted Rocks Alphabet
The activities in The Busy Bucket, modeled after the My Busy Bag trend I saw on Pinterest, welcomes independent exploration for the child, as well as, opportunities for easy interactive activities with an adult.
Although my nephew and his family won’t need to worry about these aspects of using them; the activities I used were created as examples for other survivors. Along with the Creative Learning Activities; all of these DIY toys are easy to work on from multiple positions and created with the idea that they can also be used for interactive time with a toddler while the adult adjusts to assorted positions to accommodate physical limitations. The most difficult part is getting the bucket open if you seal it shut completely.
The seat cushion is stored inside of the bucket. I made sure it is washable and it doubles as a small pillow.
The busy bucket also includes a re-purposed Healthy Choice vegetable steamer container with a lid for use as a toddler’s first sewing kit (not shown). [I think my daughter left this container in my cabinet a few years ago…it was also great for so many other things!]
This container is easy to re-purpose
The holes in the strainer lid are a perfect size to “sew” patterns with the purple shoe laces I put inside…along with some empty thread spools, and yarn with a plastic child-friendly needle. The needle is stored in a re-purposed blue prescription bottle with a child-proof lid so that she can only use it with adult supervision. There are also a lot of easy and fun ideas for DIY Toddlers’ Sewing Kits Here.
Total Cost to create the busy bucket= <$5 for remnants of acrylic paint, thread, yarn, and water-based gloss gloss to seal the painted rocks.
The hugs from her Mom= Priceless.
The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are Here and have been brought to the public via the support of my patrons.
“Organic Moonscape” Evening Primrose Plant on cotton fabric.
This edible Moonscape, in honor of the full moon today, is made of Fresh Evening Primrose Roots and Leaves and some dried Evening Primrose flowers that I gathered from my garden at the studio.
I selected Evening Primrose as my Wild Plant Ally for 2015. This is a gentle plant with many health benefits relevant to my own personal needs. [I am not a physician. Be sure to verify the plant ID and consult a trusted physician prior to adding it to your own diet or treatment plan.]
My current mood and condition warranted a late fall harvest of first year EPR growing in my garden. The fresh clean root has a mild pleasant flavor and produces a somewhat calming effect with a bit of relief from hormonal mood swings. Edible as a fresh vegetable; I will be putting it in some breakfast fritters. I am also setting some of the root aside as a tincture for later use this Winter when the ground will be too frozen to obtain the fresh roots.
The seeds I harvested earlier this fall are also said to be beneficial to treatment of my “mild hormonal depression” …for lack of a better description. I will be crushing them to release the valuable oils and then adding them to my lambsquarters bread as is done with poppy seeds in poppy seed muffins.
The Activities from Day 22 and the Lady Bug from Day 21 will be inside of this bucket. My Nephew’s daughter entered this world two years ago today under serious and unexpected duress. Terrified, they handled this with so much love and compassion for each other that it became not only a birth miracle but a life lesson for all who encountered them. Happy Birthday to their Beautiful Bundle of Awesomeness today!
Thankful for our blessings.
The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are Here and have been brought to the public via the support of my patrons.
I have decided to participate in Leah Piken Kolidas’ Art Every Day Month Challenge atCreative Every Day during the Month of November. For the first time, as I do this 30 day challenge, I will be posting my progress HERE for arachnoiditis survivors and advocates.
I hope you will join me for this creative journey. If you are an Arachnoiditis Survivor creating any art during the series that you would like to share with The Art For Arachnoiditis Project feel free to do so in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page, share links in the comments below, or submit the work for use in YEAR 2 of the Survivors’ Art Exhibit. (Accepting Entries until Feb 15, 2016.) Although the Art By Survivors’ exhibit is open only to the Survivors; other creative minded individuals are invited to share in all of the other places.
SUBSCRIBE to get the quarterly Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter
WATCH VIDEO FROM OUR 2015 SURVIVORS’ ART EXHIBIT HERE
SHOP Awareness Art,Your purchase will benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Projects at the studio. These fair market prices are not tax-deductible purchases.or Make a tax-deductible contribution via our Fiscal Sponsor, NYFA [New York Foundation for the Arts] Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
To submit original art to this catalog to benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Awareness Efforts. Send submissions with your signed Art In-Kind Form to sheilalynnk@yahoo.com subject line: Add My Art
This is the first time I will be doing daily art for The Art For Arachnoiditis Project. If you have never seen these posts before; you can get a better idea of what this is all about by checking out a A Few of my Similar Month-long Projects/Posts/Series from the Past.
My 30.30.30 [30 Days, 30 Pieces/posts, 30 minutes each] activities have previously been posted on my blog and on my facebook page. The most recent one I did in September 2015 is available HERE, April 2015 started HERE:
April 2014 I alternated between painting and drawing HERE andHERE
September 2013 was a daily Mandala Project (which grew and ended up in my 2013 Show, “A Round Now In A Square Time” with artist & friend, Allison Midgley) That project startsHERE
Easy Art Activity ~ Also Great for on the floor with toddlers when compelled to be horizontal!
Today my A.G. (he is 5) and I created some Examples AND TOOK SOME PICTURES of Creative Learning Activities that my nephew’s daughter (age 2) can use with some of the items in her “My Busy Bucket”. This digital collage will be inserted inside the bucket with the other busy items.
The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are Here and have been brought to the public via the support of my patrons.
I have decided to participate in Leah Piken Kolidas’ Art Every Day Month Challenge atCreative Every Day during the Month of November. For the first time, as I do this 30 day challenge, I will be posting my progress HERE for arachnoiditis survivors and advocates.
I hope you will join me for this creative journey. If you are an Arachnoiditis Survivor creating any art during the series that you would like to share with The Art For Arachnoiditis Project feel free to do so in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page, share links in the comments below, or submit the work for use in YEAR 2 of the Survivors’ Art Exhibit. (Accepting Entries until Feb 15, 2016.) Although the Art By Survivors’ exhibit is open only to the Survivors; other creative minded individuals are invited to share in all of the other places.
SUBSCRIBE to get the quarterly Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter
WATCH VIDEO FROM OUR 2015 SURVIVORS’ ART EXHIBIT HERE
SHOP Awareness Art,Your purchase will benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Projects at the studio. These fair market prices are not tax-deductible purchases.or Make a tax-deductible contribution via our Fiscal Sponsor, NYFA [New York Foundation for the Arts] Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
To submit original art to this catalog to benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Awareness Efforts. Send submissions with your signed Art In-Kind Form to sheilalynnk@yahoo.com subject line: Add My Art
This is the first time I will be doing daily art for The Art For Arachnoiditis Project. If you have never seen these posts before; you can get a better idea of what this is all about by checking out a A Few of my Similar Month-long Projects/Posts/Series from the Past.
My 30.30.30 [30 Days, 30 Pieces/posts, 30 minutes each] activities have previously been posted on my blog and on my facebook page. The most recent one I did in September 2015 is available HERE, April 2015 started HERE:
April 2014 I alternated between painting and drawing HERE andHERE
September 2013 was a daily Mandala Project (which grew and ended up in my 2013 Show, “A Round Now In A Square Time” with artist & friend, Allison Midgley) That project startsHERE
On Day 20 I finished the last piece in my BIG ART madness series.
So, Day 21 ended up being all about teeny-tiny art. This is made from some re-purposed shoulder pads from a dressing gown and some scrap pieces of felt that I had in my sewing kit.
I am going to add some light pink spots with embroidery thread. I can work on this small art while I get horizontal on my cot. This will be included in a gift I am working on for my Grand-niece (a.k.a. my nephew’s daughter) for her second birthday. Following the “My Busy Bag” theme that is all over Pinterest right now; I decided to make her a “My Busy Bucket.” My Grandson will be helping me with some portions of this project this weekend. More photos to come.
Bench for visitors from remaining parts of that twin bedTurkey Art At School ~Day 19
On Day 19, the weather was wet but mild. So, thankfully, I was able to spend a lovely visit with my Awesome Grandson in his classroom. This is some of the holiday art that they made. These are the precious moments that make healing possible.
The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are Here
I have decided to participate in Leah Piken Kolidas’ Art Every Day Month Challenge atCreative Every Day during the Month of November. For the first time, as I do this 30 day challenge, I will be posting my progress HERE for arachnoiditis survivors and advocates.
I hope you will join me for this creative journey. If you are an Arachnoiditis Survivor creating any art during the series that you would like to share with The Art For Arachnoiditis Project feel free to do so in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page, share links in the comments below, or submit the work for use in YEAR 2 of the Survivors’ Art Exhibit. (Accepting Entries until Feb 15, 2016.) Although the Art By Survivors’ exhibit is open only to the Survivors; other creative minded individuals are invited to share in all of the other places.
SUBSCRIBE to get the quarterly Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter
WATCH VIDEO FROM OUR 2015 SURVIVORS’ ART EXHIBIT HERE
SHOP Awareness Art,Your purchase will benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Projects at the studio. These fair market prices are not tax-deductible purchases.or Make a tax-deductible contribution via our Fiscal Sponsor, NYFA [New York Foundation for the Arts] Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
To submit original art to this catalog to benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Awareness Efforts. Send submissions with your signed Art In-Kind Form to sheilalynnk@yahoo.com subject line: Add My Art
This is the first time I will be doing daily art for The Art For Arachnoiditis Project. If you have never seen these posts before; you can get a better idea of what this is all about by checking out a A Few of my Similar Month-long Projects/Posts/Series from the Past.
My 30.30.30 [30 Days, 30 Pieces/posts, 30 minutes each] activities have previously been posted on my blog and on my facebook page. The most recent one I did in September 2015 is available HERE, April 2015 started HERE:
April 2014 I alternated between painting and drawing HERE andHERE
September 2013 was a daily Mandala Project (which grew and ended up in my 2013 Show, “A Round Now In A Square Time” with artist & friend, Allison Midgley) That project startsHERE
These works in progress are finally coming together. These ancient drop-down stairs (a.k.a. The Death Trap), were taken down over a year ago. Since then, I have been trying to figure out what to do with them. A couple of well-used and much-loved twin beds weren’t really fit to pass on to anyone else. So, I was also trying to figure out what to do with those. Cramming my life and work into one place means that space is a precious commodity. I am not really a pack rat but, I tend to hold onto things that I KNOW for certain will make the space better…EVENTUALLY.
Since the end of October/beginning of November I have been inspired with resolutions for these problems. It also helps that I managed to release the angle adjustment on my old miter saw and was gifted with the appropriate drill bits. It is truly amazing what we can accomplish with the correct tools!
All of this physical busy-ness of course, comes with a price. The use of Power tools = Muscle spasms, Lifting-bending-moving A LOT = Inflammation and more Muscle Spasms, and other Responsibilities and Obligations = Go To Bed.
So, I did.
Apologies for missing posts for Days 17 & 18. I just didn’t have it in me to post on those days as I tried to keep up with life obligations AND recover from these creative bursts of energy that demanded the making of these BIG ART pieces. I have decided these creations are “ART”-worthy because there was a great deal of creative resourcefulness involved in re-making these items into something that was applicable to the space AND affordable. TOTAL Cost in dollars….I spent $5.65 on new hardware. The rest is ALL Re-purposed materials.
The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are Here
I have decided to participate in Leah Piken Kolidas’ Art Every Day Month Challenge atCreative Every Day during the Month of November. For the first time, as I do this 30 day challenge, I will be posting my progress HERE for arachnoiditis survivors and advocates.
I hope you will join me for this creative journey. If you are an Arachnoiditis Survivor creating any art during the series that you would like to share with The Art For Arachnoiditis Project feel free to do so in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page, share links in the comments below, or submit the work for use in YEAR 2 of the Survivors’ Art Exhibit. (Accepting Entries until Feb 15, 2016.) Although the Art By Survivors’ exhibit is open only to the Survivors; other creative minded individuals are invited to share in all of the other places.
SUBSCRIBE to get the quarterly Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter
WATCH VIDEO FROM OUR 2015 SURVIVORS’ ART EXHIBIT HERE
SHOP Awareness Art,Your purchase will benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Projects at the studio. These fair market prices are not tax-deductible purchases.or Make a tax-deductible contribution via our Fiscal Sponsor, NYFA [New York Foundation for the Arts] Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
To submit original art to this catalog to benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Awareness Efforts. Send submissions with your signed Art In-Kind Form to sheilalynnk@yahoo.com subject line: Add My Art
This is the first time I will be doing daily art for The Art For Arachnoiditis Project. If you have never seen these posts before; you can get a better idea of what this is all about by checking out a A Few of my Similar Month-long Projects/Posts/Series from the Past.
My 30.30.30 [30 Days, 30 Pieces/posts, 30 minutes each] activities have previously been posted on my blog and on my facebook page. The most recent one I did in September 2015 is available HERE, April 2015 started HERE:
April 2014 I alternated between painting and drawing HERE andHERE
September 2013 was a daily Mandala Project (which grew and ended up in my 2013 Show, “A Round Now In A Square Time” with artist & friend, Allison Midgley) That project startsHERE
Studio space was getting crowded. Repurposed the old twin bed frame into this All New Bench for my Ostrich Cot!
For those who haven’t seen it before, it used to be on the floor, then on a twin bed frame if I wasn’t using it outside. The twin bed frame had some broken places so can’t ever be used for a bed again. This week I decided to chop it up and save some floor space. Now the cot is actually at the perfect height for me to get up and down with ease. I also bolted it to the top of the bench so it can’t tip if I lose my balance on the way. Woohoo!
This project brought to you by ~ Mid-November and temps in the 60s!
I have decided to participate in Leah Piken Kolidas’ Art Every Day Month Challenge atCreative Every Day during the Month of November. For the first time, as I do this 30 day challenge, I will be posting my progress HERE for arachnoiditis survivors and advocates.
I hope you will join me for this creative journey. If you are an Arachnoiditis Survivor creating any art during the series that you would like to share with The Art For Arachnoiditis Project feel free to do so in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page, share links in the comments below, or submit the work for use in YEAR 2 of the Survivors’ Art Exhibit. (Accepting Entries until Feb 15, 2016.) Although the Art By Survivors’ exhibit is open only to the Survivors; other creative minded individuals are invited to share in all of the other places.
SUBSCRIBE to get the quarterly Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter
WATCH VIDEO FROM OUR 2015 SURVIVORS’ ART EXHIBIT HERE
SHOP Awareness Art,Your purchase will benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Projects at the studio. These fair market prices are not tax-deductible purchases.or Make a tax-deductible contribution via our Fiscal Sponsor, NYFA [New York Foundation for the Arts] Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
To submit original art to this catalog to benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Awareness Efforts. Send submissions with your signed Art In-Kind Form to sheilalynnk@yahoo.com subject line: Add My Art
This is the first time I will be doing daily art for The Art For Arachnoiditis Project. If you have never seen these posts before; you can get a better idea of what this is all about by checking out a A Few of my Similar Month-long Projects/Posts/Series from the Past.
My 30.30.30 [30 Days, 30 Pieces/posts, 30 minutes each] activities have previously been posted on my blog and on my facebook page. The most recent one I did in September 2015 is available HERE, April 2015 started HERE:
April 2014 I alternated between painting and drawing HERE andHERE
September 2013 was a daily Mandala Project (which grew and ended up in my 2013 Show, “A Round Now In A Square Time” with artist & friend, Allison Midgley) That project startsHERE
Art For Arachnoiditis 